The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
